Simulation lab in Fairfield helps teach live-saving techniques

In the last few years, the soft-spoken Fairfield resident has suffered numerous traumas, undergone myriad treatments and died again and again and again.

It's a continuous saga that keeps NorthBay Healthcare staff on their toes and the simulation dummy in high demand. The training employees receive is invaluable, officials said, and likely has saved many lives.

"Everything we do is contained here," emphasized Ivan Fronefield, NorthBay's simulation lab coordinator. "We can absolutely fail. We can fall on our faces."

They also often succeed, the former Air Force medic pointed out.

Through trial and error, medical staff is exposed to all types of ailments. Then it's crunch time, having to question, diagnose and treat the computer-generated patient.

Sometimes, the situation will be a simple breathing issue. Staff might hear Hal wheeze, perhaps even gasp for air. He also speaks, giving clues to his condition, or a training supervisor's voice might float through the "God mike," a hidden airborne microphone, offering more information.

At other times, Hal could be stricken with a critical condition and figuratively cough up a lung or go into shock, his pupils reflecting his distress. Depending on the day's scenario, he could even die.

That's real life, Fronefield said simply, and everyone needs to be prepared.

"My job is to stress people out, to push you out of your comfort zone," he explained. "I'll take his legs off, his arms off, spray the place with blood and say, 'What are you going to do?'"

Sometimes, the trainers also role-play, pretending to be the patient's family and perhaps speaking in a foreign language or playing an inebriated and unruly loved one. Anything, it seems, to make the situation more realistic and perhaps more hectic.

That wasn't the case on a recent day, when critical care nurses and members of the Rapid Response Team took a turn with the deeply-tanned mannequin at NorthBay's administration center in Green Valley. Filling a two-bed hospital room following hours of classroom learning, the medical crew quickly became enthusiastically engaged in the hands-on activity.

At one point, Hal had breathing issues coupled with pain. At another, he experienced diabetic complications.

Both were later congratulated during a performance review for the seamless communication they shared that likely aided in the patient's successful treatment.

Becky Prenton, clinical manager for respiratory care, praised the use of Hal and his fellow dummy pals, which includes children, a pregnant woman that delivers a fake baby and more.

"It helps to reinforce what you're actively learning in a lecture," Prenton said. "It also helps identify problems in the process."

Stacey McKay, a clinical nurse, agreed.

A bit nervous in her training situation, she cited mistakes that she believed she'd made.

"This is still new to me because I was only certified a year ago," she said.

Officials were quick to reassure her.

"You did good," said Beth Gladney, a clinical practice manager. "I thought you did good."

NorthBay, officials said, is lucky to have the simulation lab.

The $1 million facility, opened in 2008 with the aid of a $225,000 donation from the NorthBay Guild, was instrumental in training staff in advanced procedures used in the hospital's Heart and Vascular Center, said Marilyn Ranson, a NorthBay spokeswoman.

As NorthBay moves toward opening a trauma center, it's expected that the lab will play an even more integral training role.